Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

F1 Budget Cap – No two-tier system says Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone says there will be no two-tier system in the F1 budget cap row [ad#ad-1] All eyes have gone off the stunning start to this year’s F1 circus with the news that Ferrari, Renault, Red Bull and several other teams have threatened to quit F1 next year in protest at the budget cap proposal and the two-tier system that appears to create. In a nutshell, the FIA – lead by Max Mosley – has imposed a £40 million cap on F1 team expenditure for next year (excluding driver costs, marketing costs and transport), but has said that teams who don’t adhere to the cap can still compete, but will be handicapped. Not surprisingly, the richer teams have objected and, on the face of it, it starts to look as if F1 as we know it is going to bite the dust.

Toyota tests chips that improve hybrid efficiency by 10 percent

Toyota announced on Tuesday that it has developed a new semiconductor, claiming it can boost fuel efficiency in hybrid cars by an impressive 10 percent. The semiconductors manage the flow of electricity through the power-control unit that connects the battery to an electric or hybrid car's motor and generator. The newly developed semiconductors are said to consume only a tenth of the energy of today's chips, while allowing the power-control unit to be 80 percent smaller.

Fiat-Chrysler: A match made for enthusiasts

The Fiat-Chrysler marriage means big love for auto enthusiasts in the United States. Here's a quick rundown on some of the Fiat hardware we got a chance to sample during a recent visit to the company's headquarters and test track in Italy. Fiat 500: With styling that makes it look like the spawn of a Volkswagen Beetle and a BMW Mini Cooper, the 500 does an Italian job on both competitors: It's cuter than a Beetle, and likely less expensive than a comparable Mini.